Enzymatic Assay of Cellulase

1. Objective

To standardize an enzymatic assay procedure of cellulase.

2. Scope

This procedure applies to all cellulase and hemicellulase products.

3. Definitions

3.1 Method: Spectrophotometric Stop Rate Determination

3.2 Conditions: T = 37 °C, pH = 5.0, Abs340nm, Light Path = 1 cm

3.3 ATP = Adenosine 5’-Triphosphate

3.4 ADP = Adenosine 5’-Diphosphate

3.5 β-NAD = β-Nicotinamide Adenine Dinucleotide, Oxidized Form

3.6 β-NADH = β-Nicotinamide Adenine Dinucleotide, Reduced Form

3.7 G-6PDH = Glucose 6-Phosphate Dehydrogenase

3.8 G-PG = 6-Phospho-D-Gluconate

3.9 Cellulose + H2O Cellulase> D-Glucose

3.10 D-Glucose + ATP Hexokinase> D-Glucose 6-Phosphate + ADP

3.11 D-Glucose 6-Phosphate + β-NAD G-6PDH> 6-PG + β-NADH

3.12 Unit definition: One unit will liberate 1.0 μmole of glucose from cellulose in one hour at pH 5.0 at 37 ºC (2 hour incubation time).

3.13 Final assay concentration: In a 5.00 ml reaction mix, the final concentrations are 40 mM sodium acetate, 4% (w/v) Sigmacell and 2-6 units of cellulase.

4. Discussion

N/A

5. Responsibilities

It is the responsibility of trained Analytical Services, New Product Support and Research and Development personnel to follow this procedure as written.

6. Safety

Refer to Safety Data Sheets (SDS) for hazards and appropriate handling precautions.

7. Procedure

7.1 Reagents

7.2 Materials/Equipment

7.3 Related Operating Procedures

N/A

7.4 Solution Preparation

7.4.1 50 mM Sodium Acetate Buffer, pH 5.0 at 37 ºC

7.4.1.1 Prepare 200 ml in deionized water using 1.36 g of Sodium Acetate, Trihydrate, Prod. No. S8625. Adjust to pH 5.0 at 37 ºC with 1N HCl, Prod. No. H3162.

7.4.2 5% (w/v) Sigmacell Solution (Sigmacell)

7.4.2.1 Prepare 100 ml in 50 mM Sodium Acetate Buffer using 5 g of Sigmacell Microcrystalline Type 20, Prod. No. S3504. Mix and heat gently to make a uniform suspension.

7.4.3 Glucose (HK) Determination Vial

7.4.3.1 Use Glucose (HK) Assay Reagent, Prod. No. G3293. Dissolve contents per label instructions.

7.4.4 Cellulase Enzyme Solution (Cellulase)

7.4.4.1 Immediately before use, prepare a solution containing 2-6 units/ml of Cellulase in cold deionized water.

7.5 TEST METHOD

7.5.1 Pipette (in milliliters) the following into disposable, borosilicate glass, culture tubes:

7.5.1.1 Equilibrate to 37 °C.

7.5.1.2 Then add:

7.5.1.3 Immediately mix both the Test and Blank by swirling. Using a shaker bath incubate both the Test and Blank at 37 ºC for exactly 120 minutes with moderate shaking.

7.5.1.4 Immediately transfer both the Test and Blank into an ice bath. Allow each to stand until the suspensions have settled. Centrifuge at approximately 4000 rpm for approximately 2 minutes to clarify. Use the supernatant in step 7.5.2.2.

7.5.2 Pipette (in milliliters) the following into suitable cuvettes:

7.5.2.1 Equilibrate to 25 ºC. Monitor the A_340nm until constant, using a suitably thermostatted spectrophotometer. Record the initial A_340nm for both the Test and Blank.

7.5.2.2 Then add:

7.5.2.3 Immediately mix by inversion and record the increase in A_340nm until complete (for approximately 5 minutes). Obtain the final A_340nm for both the Test and Blank.

7.6 CALCULATIONS

7.6.1 ΔA_340nm Test = A_340nm Test Final – A_340nm Test Initial

7.6.2 ΔA_340nm Blank = A_340nm Blank Final – A_340nm Blank Initial

7.6.3.1 3.1 = Final volume (in milliliters) of step 7.5.2

7.6.3.2 5 = Total volume (in milliliters) of reaction mix of step 7.5.1

7.6.3.3 DF = Dilution Factor

7.6.3.4 6.22 = Millimolar extinction coefficient of β-NADH at 340nm

7.6.3.5 2 = Conversion factor from 2 hours to 1 hour as per the Unit Definition

7.6.3.6 1 = Volume (in milliliters) of cellulase used in step 7.5.1

7.6.3.7 0.1 = Volume (in milliliters) from step 7.5.1 used in step 7.5.2

8. References & Attachments

8.1 Attachment: Report Form

8.2 Reference: Worthington, C.E. (1988) Worthington Enzyme Manual, pp76-79, Worthington Biochemical Corporation, Freehold, NJ

9. Approval

Review, approvals and signatures for this document will be generated electronically using DocCompliance (QUMAS). Please print a “For Use” copy if hardcopy with signature verification is required.